Trial judge in Jang’s case denies bribery allegation

The trial judge handling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) case against former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, in a N6.2b case has, Justice Daniel Longji, has stated that he can never be intimidated by anybody.

He challenged anyone with any evidence of the alleged bribe to come forward and say it.

“This case has been assigned to me by the Chief Judge of the state. Some people are saying I have been bribed. Some are saying so because I had worked with Lalong in the past.

“Anybody who is saying so should bring the person who bribed me. If the defendants are found to have no case at the end of the day, I will discharge them according to the law, and the other way round,” Justice Longji stressed.

Longji, who spoke when the lead counsel to Jang, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) asked for adjournment, pleading the security situation from Jos to Abuja, said: “His brother was pressurised to ask me to hands off the matter. I did not beg for the case. I have put the case before God. I will try to finish it before my retirement coming up at the end of the year.”

Ozekhome said he has confidence in the trial judge to do justice to the case, while the counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), expressed confidence in the judge.

The case has been adjourned to September 30.